GROWING numbers of council tenants are happy with their homes.

A survey commissioned by Swindon Council has found that more council tenants rate themselves as "satisfied" (88 per cent) with their accommodation, up from 80 per cent the last time the survey was conducted, in 2003-2004.

But while three-quarters of council's housing tenants are happy with the maintenance their homes receive, that figure has remained static despite the millions of pounds the authority has poured into improvements.

The finding comes from a survey of almost 650 council tenants.

Of the 88 per cent of tenants who were satisfied with the overall standard of accommodation, 56 per cent rated themselves "very satisfied".

Just one per cent of the householders said they were "very dissatisfied".

Cabinet member for housing David Renard said the council was "delighted" with the report's findings.

"I think we're managing the housing service better than we used to," Coun Renard said.

"We did this survey two years ago and in every area we have improved.

"Our performance indicators, which we are judged on by the Government, are moving in the right direction. I'm delighted with it it really does show we are making improvements for tenants."

Coun Renard said the maintenance score was a "big surprise".

"We have spent an awful lot of money bringing housing up to standard ahead of time," Coun Renard said.

"It's something we will have to investigate further."

He said early reports suggested residents were frustrated by repeat visits to get the same repair done.

"The main complaint we have found is that someone will come around and do an inspection but they won't have the right lot of kit to do the work and have to come back," Coun Renard said.

He said the council spent £7.5m on repairs to its 10,500 houses.

Coun Renard said the council's housing repairs appointment system was going well.

"People get an appointment when they want one," he said.

Coun Renard said the Government required the council to conduct a housing tenant survey every three years but he was pushing to get one every 12 months.

"You need to know what your customers think," Coun Renard said.

happy homes

SANDYS Powell is one of Swindon Council's happy tenants.

As chairman of Swindon Tenant's Voice (STV), he is often made aware of problems other people are having but he said things have improved hugely in recent years.

Mr Powell, 50, of Freshbrook, said: "Getting repairs done has been one of the bugbears in recent years.

"But things have come on a long way and the houses are at a high standard.

"Nearly all have double glazing and the new kitchens are excellent, and there are lots of choices available to people, especially with types of flooring and tiles, they aren't your knock together-type kitchens. It's the full kit and caboodle.

"Swindon is one of the last bastions of social housing in Wiltshire and the people in the council have made big strides to listen to not just STV but other groups too.

"They want to hear our ideas and if we do have any major bugbears they pay attention.

"And we also get involved in the interviewing of new staff in council housing."